Vance

The county recorders are authorized to record patents issued by the United States without other proof of their genuineness than such as is afforded by the great seal. (Acts 1863-4, p. 75.) “ Public writings are divided into four classes. * * * Public records, kept in' this State, of private writing.” (Code Civil Proc., Sec. 1894.)

And, “ A public record of a private writing may be proved by the original record, or by a copy thereof, certified by the legal keeper of the record.” (C. C. Proc., Sec. 1919.)

The objections to the record, therefore, were properly overruled.

*349 The District Court admitted in evidence a certified copy, from the office of the Secretary of State, of the articles of consolidation of the Central Pacific and Western Pacific Bailroad Companies. It is admitted that the original articles of association forming a railroad company are to be filed with the Secretary of State, and that a certified copy of such original articles is made evidence by statute. (Act 1861, p. 607.) But, it is urged, inasmuch as by section forty of the statute last referred to, it is provided “ when the consolidation and amalgamation (of two railroad companies) are completed, a copy of…